Stem cutters



April 16, 1957 J. A. SCHANNO 2,788,573

' ITEM CUTTERS Filed Nov. 2, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOSEPH A. SCHANINO April 16, 1957 J. A. SCHANNO STEM CUTTEIRS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 2, 1955 INVENTOR 67 JOSEPH A. SCHANNO FIG. 4

STEM CUTTERS Joseph A. Schanno, College Park, Ga. Application November 2, 1955, Serial No. 544,501

11 Claims. (Cl. 30-232) This invention relates to a stem cutter andjmore particularly to a one hand operated cutter of this sort to be held substantially fiat in the hand with a blade arrangement thereon actuatable to snip stems and the like from plants, trees, bushes,vines, and in other instances for easy penetration and operation between branches or other awkward situations.

In many instances it is necessary to cut stem-like members, cords, strings, and the like where only one hand can be used to position and actuate the cutting arrangement and sometimes to hold the severed object with the same hand that cuts it. This arises in removing fruit, flowers, and other parts from their branches or stems where a clean cut must be made. For example, in thecommercial harvesting of such plants as cucumbers or the picking of fine citrus. Likewise, this would apply in theremoval of roses with stems; or cords tangled in fish nets; or many other situations. Furthermore, it is desirable that the cutter not be bulky or protrusive and that the hand be free and unencumbered so that the hand is readily inserted through branches between leaves, and all other tight situations, and that the hand be free to grasp the severed object if need be.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a cutter which is readily held close to one hand, is supported entirely by that hand, and is operated solely by a movement thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a cutter for one handed operation which is readily aligned on a slim stem member or the like and actuated with the one hand to snip with a minimum of difliculty. Furthermore, the device may be used to clip and hold the severed item in the same hand.

A further main important object of my invention is to provide a cutter arranged to cut the stem of a fruit with the one same hand and upon at least part of the normal grasping movement of said hand whereby the grasping action moves the cutter.

An additional object may be found in one form of this invention which may be palmed in the hand and operated solely by a type of squeezing or normal grasping action. Cutting entrance being attained by using two of the fingers as guides.

Many other objects and advantages will be'found upon an understanding of the construction of my device. Generally described without regards to the scope of coverage, one form thereof consists of a number of movable members formed flat and joined to be held flat in the palm. There is a bottom, palmjmember curved to lie across from the thumb, a first flat finger contact and blade member provided with pivot means connecting it with the palm member and normally lying adjacent the top of the palm where some of the fingers join the hand, and another blade member pivoted on the palm member above the thumb adjacent the index finger, the blades on said blade members being formed at the inside side of each nited States Patent ice thereof and the blade sides being positioned adjacent each other so that said blades intersect at the lower portion thereof forming a gap at the top thereof, said gap being positioned between two of said fingers so that a stem or the like to be cut can be aligned between the fingers and the blades moved around said stem to cut same upon the movement of the palm and the fingers to pivot said palm member and said blade members.

The above described form of my invention has been used as the illustration in the detailed description found herein which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation view of my invention shown flat in the palm of a dotted diagrammatic hand about to clip the stem from a plant.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation view taken at the right end of the device in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that in Fig. l but with the hand therein squeezed and doubled up in a manner of grasping which has caused my device to close its blades.

Fig. 4 is an elevation view of the back of my invention removed from the hand.

This invention is normally used on the hand and on either one, so in the present drawings it is shown for a right hand It) with palm l2, thumb 14, index finger 16, and second, third and fourth fingers 18 which are shown as though flat on a table or vertical in the air. The cutter 20 is comprised of a strip-like curved, palm actuating member 22 wider than the normal hand 10 and pivotally joined by braded pivot pin 24 on one end of a first blade member 26 which is constructed from flat metal plate with a sharp cutting edge 28 on the inner side thereof and having slightly indented fingercontact portions 36 on the top thereof. Blade member 26 normally lies at the top of the hand in the palm just at the junction of the second, third, and fourth fingers. Palm member 22 is joined at the other end thereof by braded pivot pin 32 to one end 34 of a pivoted, drive'link 36 having its other end thereof 38 pivotally joined by braded pin 46 to one end 42 of another second flat blade member 44 with a cutting blade 46 on the inner side thereof adjacent the cutting blade edge 28.

Second blade member 44 is formed with a flat, roundedend protrusion 48 lapping over a portion of first blade member 26 and juxtapositioned thereon to receive an adjustable bolt pivot pin 50 connecting the two blade members together for movement relative to each other, about the common pin 50 and their respective pivot pins 24, 40. It is pointed out the mean or substantially cen tral axis X between cutting edges 23, 46 with respective axesY and Z, all intersecting at O, is offset laterally from the pivot pin 50, having axes V and H, a distance shown as D in the drawing Fig. 1. This arrangement upon actuation of blade members 26, 44 causes blade 46 to advance at a faster rate of blade surface toward axis X than the other blade '28 which compels blade 46 to sever one side of a stem or the like between the blades at a rate of faster penetration on that side than the other. This prevents the two blades from advancing substantially equally and meeting at the center which would press then suddenly snap the severed object with some jar and vibration not present in the disclosed arrangement. Less shock, jar, and vibration means less tiring work. The blades 26, 44 are limited in relative movement by means of stop pins 51 protruding adjacent link 36 limiting its movement.

Extending from an opening 52 at the bottom of blade member 26 is one end 54 of a spring 56 hooked in the opening and leading across to a similar opening 58 with the other end 60 hooked therein. In normal position of the ayrsasrs blade members 26, 44 relative to each other the spring 55 is under tension very little if any but upon closing of the edges 28, 46 the spring 56 stretches under tension tending to open the blades to normal position when released.

For ease in holding the cutter a loop of leather boot or the like 62 is attached on the back of blade 26 by means of hammered rads 64 forming a stall for the three fingersld. A similar boot stall 66 is formed and attached by brads 64 on the back of blade 44 for the index finger 16. The stalls 62, 64 by their separate loops form an entrance along axis X between their ends. The device is held in the hand with the fingers in their respective stalls 62,. 66 in the manner shown by Fig. l and with the arcuate palm member 22 nested in the heel of the palm and with link 36 adjacent the thumb 1.4, alldepending upon the particular size and comfort of the individual. To make this more comfortable, a foam rubber strip or the like 67 is attached to. member 22 By squeezing the hand lit to double up the palm l2 and bending the fingers. l6, 18 the device is brought to the position in Fig. 3 where blades 28, 46 meet and out anything confined therebetween. For example, if the stem 68 with bad 70 in Fig. 1 were guided between the stalls 62;, 64 and between the blades 28, 46 it would be readily severed upon one simple forward and squeezing hand action and hand it) can close on bud 70 if desired. When the hand is relaxed, spring 56 will return the blades to normal. Therefore normal grasping of a fruit would also operate the cutter.

It is pointed out that the device may take other forms or refinements. For example, an entire mitten or glove may be used in place of the abbreviated boots 62, 66 or all of that may be eliminated and simple stop barrier members used adjacent the finger 1 6 and the. first finger 18. to hold the fingers apart. In cutting fruit, such as citrus oranges, the device is practically held entirely nested within the hand and flat in the palm by virtue of its flatness. and thinness as may be seen in Fig. 2. With. this arrangement, the hand can dart in and out between branches cutting stems in a most expedient manner, or the hand can be moved straight forward on a branch down a line of fruit. And as mentioned. at the general outlines of objects at the beginning hereof, the position and arrangement of this device allows one to move into place. Onto the stern and cut same at the same time the cutting hand grasps or. holds the fruit.

Since this invention can be reproduced in forms other than the one shown, I am not limited to the. embodiment shown and described and hereby refer to the appended claims wherein the scope of my invention. is defined according to the broadest and proper interpretations thereof.

I claim:

1. In a cutter of the class described adapted to be held Within one hand permitting free grasp of the fingers thereof, a pair of elongated blade members each having a respective transverse cutting blade edge formed thereon on one side of each thereof, said cutting blade edges being positioned to intersect at the bottom thereof and to close upon. actuation of said cutting blade members, each of said cutting blade members having a longitudinal portion thereof corresponding to the hand width and adapted to be held flat in the palm of the hand with respective blade member transversely positioned on its respective inside upper palm side of the hand flat on and against the contour of the upper palm away from the ends of the fingers and with the cutting edges located within the hand confined intermediate the width thereof retaining means associating said blade members together for cutting engagement upon movement thereof, a blade actuat ing member having a portion thereof spaced down the palm to be positionable adjacent the inside portion of the hand and engageable upon movement of the natural movable portion of the inside bottom palm. of the hand to actuate said blade members thereby bringing said blades into cutting engagement, and guide means for positioning said cutter on the hand, whereby all of the fingers of the hand are substantially free and unencumbered for grasping and holding when cutting.

2. In a cutter of the class described for holding in the inside of one hand and permitting free grasp of the fingers thereof, a pair of elongated blade members each having a portion thereof adapted to lie on and across the upper inside portion part of the hand near the fingers thereof, a cutting edge on each of said blade members and each extending from a normal opening therebetween transversely across in the direction of the width of said blade members, said cutting edge opening being formed and normally lying intermediate the combined length of said blade members for positioning inside the hand in alignment between two fingers, means retaining said blade members in cutting association for relative movement therebetween to bring said blades into engagement with cuttable objects fed between said fingers, a blade actuating member connected with at least one of said blade members and having a portion thereof spaced down the palm engageable by a movable portion of the inside hand at the bottom palm thereof to move one of said blades relative to the other when closing the palm bottom toward the top thereof thereby closing said blades in cutting engagement, said blade members and actuating member being substantially confined within the palm of the hand away from the finger ends and lying substantially fiat against the contour of the inner palm, said blades being returned to normal position upon return of the movable hand portion to normal, and means to hold said cutter in position on the hand, whereby all of the fingers of the hand are substantially free at the ends thereof and unencumbered for grasping and holding to cut.

3. In a cutter to be held in one hand for positioning and cutting items brought into contact therewith, a pair of blade members each having a portion thereof adapted to rest on an inside portion of the hand adjacent the fingers thereof, a cutting edge on each of said blade members and each extending from a normal opening therebetween transversely in the direction of the width of said blade members, said cutting edge opening being formed and normally lying intermediate the combined length of said blade members for positioning in alignment between two fingers, a pivot means connecting said blade members for pivotal, movement therebetween, a blade actuating member adapted to lie across a portion of the hand below said blade members and being engageable with at least one of said blade members to actuate said blades into cutting position upon movement of a movable portion of the hand, means connecting said blade actuating member with the other of said blade members for simultaneous movement of both, said blades returning to normal upon return of the moved portion of the hand to normal, and means for holding and guiding said cutter on the hand.

4. In a stem cutter and the like for holding in the hand to be actuated thereby, a pair of blade members each having a portion of the length thereof adapted to lie across a respective portion of the hand along the upper width thereof with an inner side on each blade member within the hand so that said blade members are substantially positioned side-by-side in the hand, the inner side of each of said blade members being formed with a cutting edge thereon so that said cutting edges are located Within the confines of the hand in normal opposed relation about the upper part thereof, the upper edge of each of said blade members terminating in normal position across the upper palm of the hand adjacent the fingers thereof but leaving the fingers completely free for grasping action, said cutting blades lying normally in alignment between two fingers so that said fingers form a guide entrance in between said blades and said fingers may be brought close enough together to permit said blades to close, means guiding said fingers into proper position and maintaining same there during cutting action, means retaining said blades in operable association for cutting action thereby, and an actuating member engageable with at least one of said blade members on one side of the hand to actuate same for cutting upon hand movement, said actuating member being located for travel with the other of said blade members upon actuation thereof, whereby said blades may be brought into engagement with stems and the like between the fingers thereby leaving the fingers and part of the hand free to grasp adjacent things in the vicinity of the object being cut.

5. In a cutter to be held in one hand for positioning and cutting items brought into contact therewith, a pair of blade members each having a portion thereof adapted to be held in the palm thereof and with said portions across the top part of said palm near the junction with the fingers, a cutting edge on one side of each of said blade members and each extending from a normal opening therebetween downwardly toward the bottom of the hand, said cutting edge opening being formed and normally lying intermediate the combined length of the blade members and within the inside confines of the hand for normal position with said opening leading from between two fingers, a pivot means connecting said blade members with said blades intersecting from the bottom upon actuation thereof, an actuating member having one end thereof movably connected for engagement with one of said blade members and the other end thereof movably connected for engagement with the other of said blade members, said actuating member being with a portion thereof arranged to contact the lower part of the hand across the inside thereof to receive force thereon upon movement of the hand, said actuation member upon movement closing said blades to cutting position, and guide means for guiding and holding said device in correct position on the fingers of the hand.

6. The device in claim 5 having spring means resiliently urging said device to normal position thereby returning same to open position upon release thereof.

7. In a stem cutter and the like adapted to be held across the inside of one hand for actuation thereby, a pair of blade members each having a longitudinal portion thereof formed to lie across and on a corresponding portion of the hand and having the inside transverse edges thereof formed as cutting blade edges spaced apart but within meeting distance to be actuated into common cutting action therebetween, a pivot means pivotally connecting one of said blade members to the other with said cutting edges normally forming an entrance opening at the top side thereof leading between the blades downwardly in a direction toward the heel of the hand, finger guide means on at least one 'of said blades guiding and maintaining said fingers in proper position about said cutting edges so as to create a cutting entrance between two of the fingers, an actuating member having a longitudinal portion thereof spaced below said blade members and adapted to lie across a portion of the palm of the hand, one end of said actuating member resting in engagement with one of said blade members to move same into a cutting position, and the other end of said actuating member being arranged on the opposite hand side to travel with said cutting members in cutting position thereof, said actuating member being actuated by a portion of the hand engaging same upon bending said hand portion to move at least one of said blade members against the other to cut stems and the like brought into contact with the blades between the fingers.

8. The device in claim 7 having means resisting the closing of said blades thereby returning said blades to normal open position upon release thereof.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said means resisting the closing is a spring interposed between said blade members.

10. In a stem cutter and the like adapted to be held across the inside of one hand for actuation thereby, a pair of plate-like blade members each having a longitudinal portion thereof formed to lie across and on a corresponding portion of the hand and having the inside transverse edges thereof formed as cutting blade edges spaced apart but within meeting distance to be actuated into common cutting action therebetween, a pivot means pivotally connecting one of said blade members to the other with said cutting edges normally forming an entrance opening at the top side thereof leading between the blades downwardly in a direction toward the heel of the hand, finger guide means on at least one of said blades guiding and maintaining said fingers in proper position about said cutting edges so as to create a cutting entrance between two of the fingers, a strip-like actuating member having a longitudinal portion thereof spaced below and adapted to lie across a portion of the palm below said blade members, one end of said actuating member resting in pivotal engagement with one of said blade members to move same into a cutting position, a link member connected for pivotal movement with the other end of said actuating member, and pivot means connecting said link member to said other blade member, said actuating member being disposed across the bottom portion of the palm of the hand in spaced relation to said blade members and being movable by bending part of the hand to close said blades.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said pivot means between said blades is offset from the mean axis between the blades thereby causing one blade to travel more with respect to said axis upon the closing of said blades.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 411,892 Hebert Oct. 1, 1889 989,703 Haegen Apr. 18, 1911 1,601,560 Codman Sept. 28, 1926 

